Levels & Accessories

About Levels & Accessories

Accurate levelling is fundamental to quality workmanship across virtually every building and construction project. Whether you're hanging a picture frame, installing kitchen units, laying foundations, or setting out a commercial building site, the right levelling equipment ensures professional results every time. Our comprehensive range of levels and accessories encompasses everything from traditional spirit levels to advanced laser levelling systems, optical levels for surveying work, and all the supporting equipment needed to get the job done accurately.

Within this category, you'll find specialist tools for every application and budget. Laser levels and accessories provide rapid, highly accurate measurements over long distances, perfect for both indoor fit-out work and exterior site levelling. Optical levels remain the go-to choice for surveying, groundwork, and civil engineering projects. Spirit levels offer dependable accuracy for everyday tasks, available in lengths from compact torpedo levels to extended box section models. Supporting these primary tools, our selection of tripods, poles, and mounting accessories ensures stable, repeatable measurements, whilst water levels provide a simple, effective solution for matching heights over obstacles.

Quality levelling equipment is an investment that pays dividends through improved accuracy, reduced time on site, and fewer costly mistakes. Modern laser technology has revolutionised the industry, allowing single operators to accomplish tasks that once required multiple tradespeople, whilst traditional spirit levels continue to evolve with improved vial technology and durable construction. Whatever your trade or project requirements, choosing the right levelling tools and accessories will enhance both productivity and the quality of your finished work.

Jargon Buster

• Self-Levelling – A feature found in laser and some advanced spirit levels that automatically finds and maintains a true level or plumb position within a specified range, typically ±3-5 degrees. Saves time and eliminates user error in setting up.
• Accuracy Rating – Expressed in millimetres per metre (mm/m), this indicates how precise the level is. Professional spirit levels typically offer ±0.5mm/m, whilst laser levels may achieve ±0.2mm at 10 metres. Lower numbers indicate greater accuracy.
• Cross-Line Laser – Projects both horizontal and vertical laser lines simultaneously, creating a cross pattern on walls and surfaces. Essential for tiling, partition work, and aligning fixtures at 90-degree angles.
• Rotary Laser – A laser level that spins 360 degrees to create a level reference plane around an entire room or site. Used primarily for groundwork, suspended ceilings, and large-scale levelling tasks.
• Green Beam vs Red Beam – Refers to laser colour. Green lasers are up to four times more visible than red, particularly outdoors in bright conditions, but typically cost more and consume more battery power.
• Vial Sensitivity – The responsiveness of a spirit level's bubble tube. More sensitive vials detect smaller deviations from level, with professional-grade tools featuring highly sensitive, precisely calibrated vials for maximum accuracy.

Who Uses Levels & Accessories?

Levelling equipment is essential across virtually every construction and installation trade:

• Bricklayers and Blocklayers – For coursing work, maintaining level beds, and checking plumb on walls
• Carpenters and Joiners – Installing doors, windows, staircases, decking, and framework
• Electricians and Plumbers – Aligning switches, sockets, pipework, and ensuring correct falls on waste systems
• Tilers and Bathroom Fitters – Setting out tiles, installing sanitaryware, and fitting kitchen units
• Plasterers and Dry Liners – Screeding floors, installing suspended ceilings, and fixing partition systems
• Groundworkers and Civil Engineers – Site levelling, drainage gradients, and foundation work
• Shopfitters and Installers – Fitting commercial displays, shelving systems, and interior fixtures
• Landscape Gardeners – Laying patios, building retaining walls, and establishing drainage falls
• Surveyors and Setting Out Engineers – Establishing site datums and transferring levels
• DIY Enthusiasts and Homeowners – Hanging pictures, erecting shelving, building garden structures, and home improvement projects

How to Choose the Right Levels & Accessories

Selecting appropriate levelling equipment depends on several key factors:

Type of Work: For basic DIY and simple installations, a quality spirit level may suffice. Tradespeople working on interiors benefit enormously from cross-line lasers, whilst groundworkers and those covering large areas require rotary laser systems. Surveying and civil engineering projects typically demand optical levels for their precision and reliability over long distances.

Accuracy Requirements: Consider the tolerance your work demands. Fine carpentry and high-end installations require levels with superior accuracy ratings (±0.5mm/m or better), whilst general construction work can accommodate slightly less precise tools. Laser levels should specify accuracy at given distances – check this matches your typical working range.

Working Range: Compact torpedo levels suit confined spaces and small-scale work, whilst 1200mm or longer spirit levels are essential for checking longer runs. Laser levels vary dramatically in range from 10-15 metres for basic models to 50+ metres for rotary systems, with some professional models effective over several hundred metres when used with receivers.

Indoor vs Outdoor Use: Red beam lasers work well indoors but become difficult to see in bright outdoor conditions. For site work, consider green beam lasers or systems compatible with laser receivers, which detect the beam electronically. IP ratings indicate water and dust resistance – essential for outdoor and site applications.

Power and Runtime: Battery-operated levels offer portability but consider runtime per charge. Rechargeable systems reduce ongoing costs, whilst some professional models accept standard AA batteries for convenience. Laser levels vary significantly in power consumption – rotary and green beam models typically drain batteries faster than simple red cross-line units.

Mounting and Stability: Many laser levels include magnetic mounting brackets or thread mounts for tripods. For serious levelling work, invest in a proper tripod or elevating pole – handheld operation significantly reduces accuracy. Look for quick-release systems that speed up repositioning whilst maintaining stability.

Durability and Build Quality: Professional-grade tools feature reinforced construction, shock-mounted components, and protective cases. Box-section spirit levels resist twisting better than I-beam designs. For site work, prioritise robust construction and IP65 or higher ratings for protection against dust and water ingress.

Popular Accessories

• Tripods and Elevating Poles – Provide stable mounting platforms for laser and optical levels, with adjustable height for working at different elevations. Essential for accurate, repeatable measurements.
• Laser Receivers and Detectors – Extend the working range of laser levels outdoors or in bright conditions by electronically detecting the laser beam, often featuring audible signals to guide positioning.
• Laser Target Plates – Reflective or contrasting plates that make laser lines more visible on certain surfaces and over longer distances, particularly useful outdoors.
• Protective Cases – Purpose-designed storage that protects precision instruments from impact damage during transport and on-site, often with custom foam inserts.
• Mounting Brackets and Clamps – Wall-mounting systems, magnetic bases, and multi-position clamps that allow levels to be positioned at various angles and locations.
• Staff and Grade Rods – Graduated measuring poles used with optical levels for surveying work, available in telescopic or folding designs with metric graduations.
• Laser Goggles – Enhance visibility of laser lines in bright conditions by filtering out ambient light whilst allowing the laser wavelength through clearly.
• Remote Controls – Allow operation of laser levels from a distance, useful when working alone or when the level is mounted in an inaccessible position.

Safety Information

Whilst levelling equipment is generally safe to use, laser levels require specific precautions. Never look directly into a laser beam or point lasers at people, vehicles, or aircraft. Class 2 lasers (most construction lasers) are generally safe as the blink reflex protects the eye, but Class 3 devices require additional care. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance and consider using appropriate laser safety goggles when working with higher-class devices.

When using optical levels on construction sites or near roadways, ensure you're visible to site traffic – wear appropriate hi-visibility clothing as required by HSE guidelines. Tripods should be positioned with legs fully extended and locked, on stable ground away from edges, excavations, or areas where they might be knocked. Never leave expensive equipment unattended on site.

For electrical safety, ensure laser levels are suitable for site conditions. Check IP ratings match the environment, particularly for damp or dusty locations. When working at height using levelling equipment, follow proper access equipment protocols and never overreach whilst holding or adjusting tools. Store precision instruments properly to maintain accuracy and prevent damage that could affect measurement reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a laser level and a spirit level?

Spirit levels use a liquid-filled vial with an air bubble to indicate level or plumb, requiring the user to hold or position them against surfaces. Laser levels project visible lines of light that serve as reference points across distances, allowing hands-free operation and making it easier to level multiple points simultaneously. Lasers are faster for large areas or setting out work, whilst spirit levels excel at checking individual surfaces and work in any lighting without batteries.

Can I use a laser level outdoors?

Yes, but visibility becomes challenging in bright sunlight, particularly with red beam lasers. Green beam lasers offer better outdoor visibility but still struggle in direct sunlight. For outdoor work, use a laser receiver (detector) which picks up the beam electronically and indicates when you're on level with audible beeps. Alternatively, work during overcast conditions or in shade. Ensure your laser level has adequate IP rating (IP54 minimum, IP65 better) for outdoor moisture and dust protection.

How accurate do I need my level to be?

This depends entirely on your work. For general DIY, hanging pictures, or rough framing, accuracy of ±1.0mm/m is adequate. Most trade work benefits from ±0.5mm/m precision. Fine carpentry, shopfitting, and high-end installations demand ±0.3mm/m or better. Surveying and groundwork typically requires optical levels or precision rotary lasers with ±0.2mm at 10 metres or superior accuracy. Remember that accuracy compounds over distance – a 1mm/m error becomes 10mm over a 10-metre run.

Do I need to calibrate my level?

Quality spirit levels rarely require calibration if properly maintained, though they should be checked occasionally against a known level surface or by the reversal method (checking both directions on the same surface). Self-levelling laser levels can drift out of calibration through impact or wear. Many feature built-in calibration checks, and some allow user calibration, but professional recalibration is recommended annually for tools used daily, or after any significant impact. Keep calibration certificates for site audit trails on commercial projects.

What length spirit level should I buy?

Most tradespeople benefit from owning multiple lengths. A 600mm level handles general tasks and fits in most toolbags. A 1200mm or 1800mm level is essential for checking longer runs like door frames, worktops, or studwork. Short torpedo or boat levels (200-300mm) are invaluable for tight spaces and checking appliances. For dedicated trades, carpenters often favour 1200mm as their primary tool, whilst plasterers may prefer 1800-2400mm for screeding and wall checking. Consider your most common applications and tool storage capacity.